Table of Contents
FOREWORD 15
What is in al-Kafi? 15
THE SOURCE OF HADITH 16
THE SUBJECTS 18
ONENESS OF ALLAH 18
INTELLIGENCE 18
ABBREVIATIONS, CONVENTIONS, SPECIAL TERMS AND SYMBOLS 20
HADITH ITS PLURAL AHADITH 20
Good news for Visitors of Islamic Seminary homepage 20
INTRODUCTION 21
Hadith (Texts of guidance from the Holy Prophet and the Imams (Divine Supreme Covenent Body) In the Shi ‘a Muslim community 21
BIOGRAPHY OF AL-KULAYNI 25
Words of Appreciation for his Efforts 25
His Compilations 26
Al-KAFI 27
Distinctive Features 27
Sub-divisions of al-Kafi 27
PART 1: AL-’USUL (principles) 27
PART 2: AL-FURU' 28
PART 3: AL- RAWDA 28
Commentaries of al-Kafi 29
The Year of al-Kuyni's Death 29
His grave in Baghdad 29
A note about narrators 29
Notes and References 30
INTRODUCTION 33
TABLE OF CONTENTS 40
كتاب العقل والجهل 42
THE BOOK OF INTELLIGENCE AND IGNORANCE 42
كتاب فضل العلم 74
THE BOOK ON VIRTUE OF KNOWLEDGE 74
Chapter 1 75
Chapter on the necessity to seek knowledge and the recommendations to learn 75
Chapter 2 79
Chapter on the quality of knowledge its virtue and the virtue of the scholars 79
Chapter 3 83
Chapter on Kinds of People 83
Chapter 4 85
Chapter on the reward for the scholars and those who seek knowledge 85
Chapter 5 88
Chapter on the Qualities of the Scholars 88
Chapter 6 92
Chapter on the Rights of the scholars 92
Chapter 7 93
Chapter on the Loss of a Scholar 93
Chapter 8 96
Chapter on Meeting the Scholars and Associating with Them 96
Chapter 9 99
Chapter on Asking the Scholar and Discussing with him 99
Chapter 10 103
Chapter on Giving Knowledge as Charity 103
Chapter 11 105
Prohibition on Speaking without Knowledge 105
Chapter 12 109
Chapter on Those who Act without Knowledge 109
Chapter 13 111
Chapter on Utilization of Knowledge 111
Chapter 14 115
Chapter on Those who use their Knowledge to Fill their Stomach and are Boastful for it 115
Chapter 15 118
Chapter on the Need for the Existence of a Divine Authority in the World and the Seriousness of this Matter 118
Chapter 16 120
Chapter on Miscellaneous Issues 120
Chapter 17 128
Chapter on narrating books and Hadith (The virtue of writing and its preservation) 128
Chapter 18 134
Chapter on Taqlid, following the opinions of someone 134
Chapter 19 136
Chapter on Innovations, Personal Opinions and Analogies 136
Chapter 20 148
Chapter on the need to refer to the book and Sunnah 148
Chapter 21 154
Chapter on the Differences in al-Hadith 154
Chapter 22 165
Chapter on Following the Sunnah and Evidence of the Book 165
كتاب التوحيد 170
THE BOOK ON ONENESS OF ALLAH (GOD) 170
Chapter 1 171
Chapter on Contingency of the Universe and Proof of the Existence of its Creator 171
Chapter 2 185
Chapter on Can Allah (God) be Considered a Thing? 185
Chapter 3 190
Chapter on (the Issue) that only He is proof of His Own Existence 190
Chapter 4 193
Chapter on the minimum degree of knowledge of the existence of Allah 193
Chapter 5 195
Chapter on Who is Worshipped 195
Chapter 6 198
Chapter On Being and Space (al-Kawn WA al-Makan) 198
Chapter 7 204
Chapter On The relationships (Nisbah) Of Allah 204
Chapter 8 207
Chapter On Prohibition on Saying How is Allah (al-Kayfiyyah) 207
Chapter 9 212
Chapter On The Invalidity of the Belief to see God (Ru’yah of Allah) 212
Chapter 10 221
Chapter On Prohibition on Attributing to Allah What He Himself has not Done so 221
Chapter 11 228
Chapter On Prohibition on Considering Allah as having Body (JISM) and Form (SURAH) 228
Chapter 12 233
Chapter On Attribute Of Essence (Sifat al-DhDhat) Of Allah 233
Chapter 13 237
Another Chapter of The Previous Chapter 237
Chapter 14 239
Chapter On Will Power (IRADAH) it is of the Attributes of Action (SIFAT al-FI‘L) and the Rest of the Attributes of Action 239
Chapter 15 244
Chapter On the Coming into the Existence of the Names of Allah 244
Chapter 16 249
Chapter On The Meanings of the Names of Allah and their Derivatives 249
Chapter 17 257
Chapter on Another Chapter (Related) to the Previous Chapter 257
Chapter 18 264
Chapter on the Interpretation of al-Samad, Self-sufficient 264
Chapter 19 267
Chapter on Motion and Change 267
Chapter 20 274
Chapter about al-‘Arsh and al-Kursi 274
Chapter 21 281
Chapter on al-Ruh, the Spirit 281
Chapter 22 283
Chapter on Comprehensive (Ahadith) about the Oneness of Allah 283
Chapter 23 296
Chapter on Miscellaneous Ahadith 296
Chapter 24 302
Chapter on al-Bida’ 302
Chapter 25 309
Chapter on the issue that there is nothing in heavens and earth but that they are in seven 309
Chapter 26 311
Chapter on Wish and Will 311
Chapter 27 314
Chapter on Test and Choice 314
Chapter 28 315
Chapter on Fortunateness and Un-fortunateness 315
كِتَابُ الْحُجَّةِ 318
THE BOOK ABOUT PEOPLE WITH DIVINE AUTHORITY 318
Chapter 1 319
The necessity of the presence of Divine Authority among the people Abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Ya‘qub al-Kulayni, the author of this book, may Allah grant him blessings has said the following 319
Chapter 2 330
The Categories of the Prophets, the Messengers and the Imams (a.s.) 330
Chapter 3 333
The Difference among he Messengers, the Prophets and the al-Muhaddath 333
Chapter 4 336
The issue that Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam 336
Chapter 5 338
The Issue that the Earth at no time is without a Person with Divine Authority 338
Chapter 6 343
The Issue that even if only two people would remain on earth one of them would certainly be the Imam, the person with divine authority 343
Chapter 7 345
Knowing the Imam (a.s.) and Belief in His Divine Authority 345
Chapter 8 355
The obligation to obey the Imams (a.s.) 355
Chapter 9 365
The Imams (a.s.) are witness for Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, over His creature 365
Chapter 10 369
The Imams (a.s.) are the only true guides 369
Chapter 11 371
The Imam (a.s.) Possess Divine Authority and the Treasure of Divine Knowledge 371
Chapter 12 374
The Imams (a.s.) are the Deputies of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, on earth and the Gates through which people go nearer to Allah 374
Chapter 13 376
The Imams (a.s.) are the light of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High 376
Chapter 14 381
The Imams are the corner stone on earth 381
Chapter 15 386
The Unique Ahadith that sums up the Virtue and Qualifications of the Imam (a.s.) 386
Chapter 16 398
The Imams (a.s.) possess Divine authority, they are Envied and Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has spoken of them 398
Chapter 17 401
The Imams (a.s.) are the Sings of whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has spoken in the Holy Quran 401
Chapter 18 403
The Signs of which Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has spoken in the Holy Quran are The Imams (a.s.) 403
Chapter 19 405
The matters that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, and His Messenger (s.a.) have sanctioned as obligatory of the beings with the Imams (a.s.) 405
Chapter 20 410
The people of Dhikr (memory and knowledge) that Allah has commanded the creatures to ask for their questions are the Imams (a.s.) 410
Chapter 21 415
Those whom Allah has called people of knowledge they are the Imams (a.s.) 415
Chapter 22 416
The People Well-grounded in Knowledge are the Imams (a.s.) alone 416
Chapter 23 418
The Imams are those who have received Knowledge and it is firmly Established in their Hearts 418
Chapter 24 420
The people whom Allah has Chosen and has Made the Heirs of His Book are the Imams (a.s.) 420
Chapter 25 422
Two Kinds of Imam are mentioned in the Holy Quran: the Imams (a.s.) who call to Allah and the Imams who call to Fire 422
Chapter 26 424
The Holy Quran guides people to the Imam (a.s.) 424
Chapter 27 425
The Bounty and Blessings that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has mentioned in His book, the Holy Quran are the Imams (a.s.) 425
Chapter 28 427
The People whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has called Mutawassimin (distinguished) in His book are the Imams (a.s.) who are also the straight path 427
Chapter 29 430
The deeds of the people are presented before the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and the Imams (a.s.) 430
Chapter 30 433
The Path, Urged to be Maintained Steadfastly is Acknowledgement of the Divine Authority of Imam Ali (a.s.) 433
Chapter 31 435
The Imams (a.s.) are the Mines of Knowledge, the Tree of Prophet-hood and the Centers wherein angels Interchange 435
Chapter 32 437
The Imams (a.s.) are the Heirs of Knowledge to Inherit it one from the other 437
Chapter 33 441
The Imams (a.s.) inherited the knowledge of the Holy prophet (s.a.) and all the prophets and their successors before them 441
Chapter 34 447
The Imams (a.s.) have with all the books that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has revealed and that they know them even the language in them are different 447
Chapter 35 450
No one collect all of the Holy Quran except the Imams (a.s.) and that they have the knowledge of all of the Holy Quran 450
Chapter 36 453
The degree of the Great Names of Allah that are given to the Imams (a.s.) 453
Chapter 37 455
Sacred objects of the Prophets transferred to the Imams (a.s.) 455
Chapter 38 458
The Armaments and Sacred Items belonging to the Holy Prophet (s.a.) that transferred to the Imam (a.s.) 458
Chapter 39 466
The case of the Arms of the Messenger of Allah is like the Ark among the Israelites 466
Chapter 40 468
Statements about al-Jafr al-Jami‘ and the Book of Fatima (a.s.) 468
Chapter 41 475
Chapter Ninety Seven of the Holy Quran and its interpretation 475
Chapter 42 495
The Imams (a.s.) Receive additional (knowledge) every Friday night 495
Chapter 43 497
Would the Imams (a.s.) not receive new knowledge their previous know would be Exhausted 497
Chapter 44 499
The Imams know all the knowledge that has come to the angels, the prophets and the Messenger 499
Chapter 45 502
The Unique Ahadith about the hidden facts 502
Chapter 46 506
Would the Imams (a.s.) like to know they would know 506
Chapter 47 507
The Imams (a.s.) know when they will die and they die voluntarily 507
Chapter 48 512
The Imams (a.s.) do have the knowledge of what was and will be, and that nothing is unknown to them (a.s.) 512
Chapter 49 517
Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, did not teach anything to His Messenger but that He commanded him to teach such knowledge to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and he was his partner in Knowledge 517
Chapter 50 519
Aspects of the Knowledge of the Imams (a.s.) 519
Chapter 51 521
If Secrets would be kept the Imams (a.s.) can tell everyone what is for and against them 521
Chapter 52 522
Giving Charge of the Religious matters to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.) and to the Imams (a.s.) 522
Chapter 53 530
The Imams are Similar to those before them and the Dislikeability of Calling them Prophets 530
Chapter 54 534
The Imams (a.s.) hear from the angels as Muhaddathun and are of Perfect Understanding 534
Chapter 55 537
The Spirits that exist in the Imams (a.s.) 537
Chapter 56 540
The Spirit with which the Imams (a.s.) are Protected 540
Chapter 57 544
The Time When the Imam Learns the Knowledge of the Imam before him (a.s.) 544
Chapter 58 546
The Imams (a.s.) are all Equal in Knowledge, Courage and Obedience 546
Chapter 59 548
Each Imam knows the succeeding Imam (a.s.) The words of Allah, the Most High, “Allah commands you to deliver the trust to its people,”(4:58) is a reference to the Imams (a.s.) 548
Chapter 60 552
The Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) is a Covenant from Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, Delivered as such by the preceding Imam to the succeeding Imam (a.s.) one after the other 552
Chapter 61 556
The Imams (a.s.) never did and would not do anything except because of the covenant of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, and a command from Him and they did not go beyond such limits 556
Chapter 62 565
Evidence of Imam’s Possessing Divine Authority 565
Chapter 63 569
Proof that Imamat (leadership with Divine Authority) Continues in the Descendents of the Preceding Imam but not through his Brother or Paternal Uncle or other such Relatives 569
Chapter 64 572
The Specific words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High and the Messenger of Allah that Grant Divine Authority to Everyone of the Imams (a.s.) 572
APPENDIX 584
Chapter 65 586
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali’s (a.s.) Divine Authority over the people after the Messenger of Allah 586
Chapter 66 598
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of al-Hassan ibn Ali’s (a.s.) (a.s.) Divine Authority over the people after Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) 598
Chapter 67 604
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of al-Husayn ibn Ali’s (a.s.) (a.s.) Divine Authority over the people after al-Hassan (a.s.) 604
Chapter 68 611
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of Ali ibn al-Husayn’s (a.s.) Divine Authority over the people after al-Husayn (a.s.) 611
Chapter 69 614
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu Ja‘far’s (a.s.) Divine Authority over the people after Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) 614
Chapter 70 617
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu ‘Abdallah Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq’s (a.s.) Divine Authority over the people after Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) 617
Chapter 71 621
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu al-Hassan Musa’s (a.s.) Divine Authority over the people after abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) 621
Chapter 72 630
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu al-Hassan al-Rida’s (a.s.) Divine Authority over the people after abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) 630
Chapter 73 648
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu Ja‘far al-Thani’s (the second) (a.s.) Divine Authority over the people after abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) 648
Chapter 74 656
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu al-Hassan’s, al-Thalith (the third) (a.s.) Divine Authority over the people after Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) 656
Chapter 75 660
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu Muhammad al-Hassan ‘s (a.s.) Divine Authority over the people after Ali ibn Muhammad (a.s.) 660
Chapter 76 667
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of the owner of the House’s (a.s.) Divine Authority over the people abu Muhammad al-Hassan (a.s.) 667
Chapter 77 670
The list of the Names of those who saw the Twelfth Imam (a.s.) 670
Chapter 78 678
The Prohibition on Mentioning his Name 678
Chapter 79 680
Precious Ahadith on Conditions of Disappearance from Public Sight of (the Twelfth Imam (a.s.) 680
Chapter 80 685
The Issue of Disappearance (of the twelfth Imam (a.s.) from Public Sight 685
Chapter 81 702
The Criterion to Discern the Truthful and False Claims of Entitlement to Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) 702
Chapter 82 747
Setting-up a Time Limit for the Reappearance of the Twelfth Imam (a.s.) an Antipathetic Issue 747
Chapter 83 751
Refinement and Trial 751
Chapter 84 755
The rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority earlier or later will not affect one who has learned who his Imam is 755
Chapter 85 758
The case of those who would claim to be the Imam but is not qualified, the case of those who would reject all or some of the Imams and the case of those who argue in support of one who is not a qualified Imam 758
Chapter 86 764
The case of those who would accept the religion of Allah but without accepting the Imam, Leader with Divine Authority 764
Chapter 87 768
The Case of those who would Die without having an Imam from the Imams of Guidance 768
Chapter 88 770
The case of those who have recognized Ahl al-Bayt and those who have ignored them 770
Chapter 89 772
The Obligation and Duty of the People at the Time of the Passing away of the Imam (a.s.) 772
Chapter 90 777
When the Imam learns that Leadership with Divine Authority has come to him? 777
Chapter 91 782
The Conditions of the Imams in the Matters of Age 782
Chapter 92 788
Only an Imam has the Authority to Wash the Body of an Imam for Burial 788
Chapter 93 790
The Birth of the Imams (a.s.) 790
Chapter 94 798
The Creation of the bodies, spirits and the Hearts of the Imam (a.s.) 798
Chapter 95 801
Submission and the Virtue of the Muslims 801
Chapter 96 805
People’s obligation after Hajj to Meet the Imam, Ask them Religious Instructions, Declare and Pledge to them Allegiance and Express their Love 805
Chapter 97 807
The Angels come to the Houses of the Imams, Step on their Furnishings and Bring them News 807
Chapter 98 809
The Jinns Come to the Imam for Religious Instructions and for Dealing with their Affairs 809
Chapter 99 815
When the Imams will Rise with Divine Authority They will Judge Among People as David and his People had Done that They will not Ask any Witness to Testify (May the peace and blessings of Allah be up on them) 815
Chapter 100 818
The fountain head of Knowledge is Ala Muhammad (a.s.) 818
Chapter 101 820
There is nothing True with People unless it has Come from the Imams and Whatever that has not Come from Them (a.s.) is False 820
Chapter 102 824
The Hadith (statements) of Ahl al-Bayt (members of the family of Prophet Muhammad) is Difficult and becomes Difficult 824
Chapter 103 829
The Commands of the Holy Prophet to Wish Well for the Imams of Muslims, Remain Close with their Group and as to Who They are 829
Chapter 104 833
The Mutual Rights between the Imam and his Followers 833
Chapter 105 838
The Whole Earth belongs to the Imam (a.s.) 838
Chapter 106 844
Manners of the Imams in the Matters of Food and Clothes as Leaders with Divine Authority 844
Chapter 107 847
The Rare Ahadith in the context 847
Chapter 108 849
Enlightening Points Deduced from the Holy Quran about Leadership with Divine Authority) 849
Chapter 109 898
Notable Points and Comprehensive Ahadith about Wilaya (Leadership with Divine Authority) 898
Chapter 110 902
The Imams (a.s.) know their friends and that they are the in charge of their affairs 902
CHAPTERS ON HISTORY 905
Chapter 111 905
The Birth of The Holy Prophet (s.a) and His Demise 905
Chapter 112 932
Climbing over the grave of the Holy Prophet (s.a) prohibited 932
Chapter 113 933
The birth of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) 933
Chapter 114 943
The birth of al-Zahra’, Fatima (a.s.) 943
Chapter 115 950
The Birth of al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.) 950
Chapter 116 954
The Birth of al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.) 954
Chapter 117 960
The Birth of Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) 960
Chapter 118 965
The Birth of Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) 965
Chapter 119 972
The Birth of abu ‘Abdullah Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.) 972
Chapter 120 980
The Birth of abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.) 980
Chapter 121 999
The birth of abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) 999
Chapter 122 1011
The Birth ofabu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali, the Second (a.s.) 1011
Chapter 123 1022
The Birth of abu al-Hassan Ali ibn Muhammad (a.s.) 1022
Chapter 124 1032
The Birth of abu Muhammad al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.) 1032
Chapter 125 1055
The Birth of the Possessor (of Divine Authority) (a.s.) 1055
Chapter 126 1078
The Statements and the Explicit Texts on Leadership with Divine Authority) of the Twelve Imams (a.s.) 1078
Chapter 127 1097
Something said about a man and it is not in him but is found in his sons or grand sons than it is as if it is in him 1097
Chapter 128 1099
All the Imams (a.s.) rise for and with authority of Allah, the Most High and guide to Him Allah 1099
Chapter 129 1102
Compensation and Imam (a.s.) 1102
Chapter 130 1105
The Fay’, al-Anfal, al-Khums, its rules and the properties subject to al-Khums 1105